Fresno County fire responds to house fire and finds pot grow

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities are trying to track down the owner of a Fresno County home after flames led them to a pot grow. The early morning fire destroyed the home. The fire lead sheriff's deputies to a backyard marijuana grow at Manning Avenue and Chateau Fresno southwest of the city of Fresno.

Charred walls are what remain after a Wednesday morning fire destroyed a Fresno County home.

Fire crews were called to Manning and Chateau Fresno around 6:30 a.m. when they said they arrived to the home fully engulfed in flames. Investigators believe the fire started in a back bedroom of the home and quickly ripped through the house towards the backyard. Sheriff's officials said the renters may have left the home because of what firefighters discovered in the backyard.

"We don't know what happened. If the fire did get out of control, or the firefighters arrived on scene and they got scared off," said Tony Botti, Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's deputies seized more than 200 marijuana plants. They said it looks as though the renters tried to save the marijuana plants from the fire.

"What it looks like is, while the house was on fire they started pulling plants from the green houses, throwing them over the fence in an attempt to maybe swoop around with their vehicle and grab them before the fire got too bad," said Botti.

Sheriff's officials said they're trying to find the renters responsible for the grow. But this isn't the first time they've been to the home.

"This house is very familiar to us. Last year, May 27, we went out there for almost an identical type of a case," said Botti.

That time seizing more than 270 plants and processed marijuana. A letter was sent to property owners but sheriff's officials never made direct contact.

It's still unknown who the renters are and whether they're the same ones from last year's bust. Sheriff's officials said, ultimately, the property owners could be held liable.